ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Children Program Director Jobs in Lancaster, SC (NOW HIRING)

YMCA of Upper Palmetto

Fitness Program Director

SC · On-site

$21.63 - $23.08/hr

Fitness Program Director Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly) The YMCA of Upper Palmetto is seeking a ... Provide effective fitness programs for adults, teens, children, seniors, and special populations ...

Mathnasium

Math Learning Center Director

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$40K - $55K/yr

Market the Mathnasium program by building school and community relationships * Monitor and grow ... teaching children math so that they understand it, master it, and love it. Our world-class ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsChildren Program JobsChildren Program Director JobsChildren Program Director Jobs in Lancaster, SC

Children Program Director information

See Lancaster, SC salary details

$25.2K

$66.7K

$116.8K

How much do children program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for children program director in Lancaster, SC is $66,690.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,200.00 and $78,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a children program director do?

A Children Program Director is responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating programs and activities for children, often within educational, recreational, or community settings. They oversee staff, develop age-appropriate curricula, ensure the safety and well-being of participants, and coordinate with parents and community organizations. Their role involves budgeting, scheduling, and maintaining compliance with relevant regulations to create a positive and enriching environment for children.

What are some common challenges faced by a children program director, and how can they be effectively managed?

Children Program Directors often face challenges such as balancing diverse needs of children, managing staff, and ensuring program compliance with safety and educational standards. Effective management involves maintaining clear communication with team members, staying updated on best practices in child development, and fostering strong relationships with parents and community partners. Proactively addressing staff training and seeking regular feedback can also help create a positive, adaptable program environment.

What are the responsibilities of a Children Program Director?

A Children Program Director is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing children's activities and educational programs. They coordinate staff, ensure safety and compliance with regulations, and develop age-appropriate curriculum to promote children's development and engagement. Strong leadership, communication skills, and knowledge of child development are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Children Program Director vs Children Activities Coordinator?

Children Program DirectorChildren Activities Coordinator
Develops and oversees overall program strategies and policiesPlans and executes specific activities and events for children
Requires higher-level management skills and experienceFocuses on day-to-day activity coordination
Typically holds a bachelor's degree in education, recreation, or related fieldMay require similar certifications but less managerial experience
Works in community centers, schools, or religious organizationsWorks in similar environments, often under supervision

The Children Program Director focuses on strategic planning and program management, while the Children Activities Coordinator handles the execution of specific activities. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in similar settings, but the director has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a children program director?

To thrive as a Children Program Director, you need a background in education, child development, or a related field, often with a bachelor's degree and experience in program management. Familiarity with curriculum planning tools, child safety regulations, and management software is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you inspire staff, engage families, and respond effectively to challenges. These competencies are essential for creating enriching, safe, and effective programs that support children's growth and well-being.
What job categories do people searching Children Program Director jobs in Lancaster, SC look for? The top searched job categories for Children Program Director jobs in Lancaster, SC are:
Children Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Children Program Director job openings in Lancaster, SC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,690 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Fitness Program Director

YMCA of Upper Palmetto

Indian Land, SC

$21.63 - $23.08/hr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Fitness Program Director
Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Hourly)
The YMCA of Upper Palmetto is seeking a Fitness Program Director for its Indian Land YMCA located in Indian Land, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Our Indian Land YMCA branch, an 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, opened in November, 2020. The area offers quality schools, great outdoor recreation, and abundant options for city or country living.
The YMCA of Upper Palmetto is a mid/large Y association consisting of 13 branch locations, including an overnight resident camp, executive-level fitness centers, flagship facilities, and mission YMCAs with over 13 pools, which include two 50-meter pools and three water parks. The YMCA of Upper Palmetto boasts a diverse talent pool that is committed to great customer service, quality programs, and clean facilities.
In addition to living and working in a great area of South Carolina, the YMCA of Upper Palmetto also has a great employee-centric benefits package (12% fully paid Y retirement once vested, 9 paid holidays, and generous “Paid Time Off” based on YMCA tenure).
POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Regional VP and/or Branch Director and consistent with the Christian mission of the YMCA, the Fitness Program Director is responsible for managing the operations and programs of the Fitness Department. The Fitness Director will assist the Branch Director with various branch activities such as special events and other activities that occur on various occasions. As a member of the branch leadership team, the Fitness Director will create and embrace a diverse and inclusive YMCA community to grow our local impact, activate our global network, and multiply our mission.

Responsibilities:
  • Facilitate and oversee the organization, management, and daily operations of the fitness programs.
  • Manage biweekly payroll.
  • Provide effective fitness programs for adults, teens, children, seniors, and special populations that drive growth in membership and program participation.
  • Collaborate with the Regional VP/Branch Director to plan and manage the annual Fitness Department budget. Control payroll and department purchasing costs within the budget and financial guidelines to meet fiscal objectives.
  • Work symbiotically with the Member Experience team to develop, implement, and manage operating plans to promote program and membership growth for the YMCA.
  • Ensure a culture of inclusion that builds and celebrates diversity within the Y and our community.
  • Build a network of Program volunteers through effective recruitment, training, and stewardship. Build and maintain relationships with community and corporate partners with specific focus on community health.
  • Develop and implement branch/regional health and wellness special events and promotions.
  • Partner with marketing and communications department to ensure effective promotion and visibility of all program areas, including management of social media for the region.
  • Review and evaluate the enrollment, programs, services, and operation of the fitness department and communicate findings to the Branch Director.
  • Provide leadership and support to the annual fundraising campaign and volunteer committees/boards as assigned.
  • Assist the Association with evidence-based health initiatives including, but not limited to, creating an interest list, conducting readiness assessments/enrollment, and creating class schedules.
  • Help coordinate the LiveStrong program. Provide dates and program reports that work alongside the association leadership.
  • Grow the Personal Training program with participants and revenue year over year. Keep track of staff (expenses) that align with the program model and budget.
  • Oversee, train, and hire for the Youth Strength and Conditioning program. Keep track of staff (expenses) that align with the program model and budget.
  • Oversee group ex staff and/or coordinator and evaluate the use of space to maximize the member experience.

Essential Function:
  • Recruits, hires, trains, develops, schedules, and directs personnel and volunteers as needed. Reviews and evaluates staff performance. Develops strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals. Ensures records of staff certifications are current and complete.
  • Supervision of Fitness Department including the fitness center, group exercise classes and personal training program.
  • Ensures safety and maintenance of facilities and equipment to minimize risk to members, participants and the Association.
  • Other duties as needed.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor Degree.
  • Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certifications.
  • Demonstrated experience in recruiting, hiring, training and development of volunteers and staff.
  • YMCA Multi-Team or Branch Leader certification or ability to attain certification within three years of hire.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • High level of organization demonstrating sound judgment, initiative, and independent thinking.
  • Ability to develop short- and long-term plans.
  • Ability to effectively work/interact with diverse populations.
  • Computer literate. Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word, Outlook, and database management.
  • High ethical standards and possess strong personal and professional integrity.
  • Ability to work irregular work hours if/when needed.
  • Ability to walk, stand, and sit while maintaining alertness for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to lift, push, and carry up to 50 pounds of weight.
  • Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
  • Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.
  • Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency.

Apply